Summer is here, and with it come more flowers to enjoy. But don’t forget deadheading—the removal of spent blossoms. Regular deadheading encourages many plants to flower for longer. Here are four reasons to keep up with this chore—plus, tips on how to deadhead flowers.  1. PROLONG THE BLOOM Removing spent flowerheads is one of the best ways to […]

Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are iridescent green beetles that carry a big threat because they will feed on a wide variety of plants. You’ll often be able to identify the damage because their leaf chewing leaves a lacy skeleton.  WHAT ARE JAPANESE BEETLES? These small insects do not discriminate when it comes to what types of plants they feed on, […]



Daylily Grower’s Guide One of the reasons daylilies are so popular is because they are some of the easiest perennials to grow and can survive much neglect, drought, and other adverse conditions. However, if you want your daylilies to look their best, they will benefit from the periodic care described below. Watering Water is the […]

Turn your patio or balcony into an exotic tropical getaway with the help of bold, beautiful tropical plants. Used as dramatic summer annuals in trendy decorative containers, tropical plants with rich foliage or sizzling-hot blooms turn outdoor spaces into hot spots for relaxation and entertaining. From birds of paradise and flowering gingers with striking, vibrant blooms […]

CALAMINTHA NEPETA SUBSP. NEPETA Calamint, Lesser Calamint Photo credit: Stonehouse Nursery Like a cloud of confetti, tiny white flowers (sometimes touched with pale blue) appear from early summer to fall. Undemanding and dependable, calamint provides the perfect foil for other summer bloomers and foliage. This full-sun perennial has a low mounding or bushy habit, ideal for the […]

June is the perfect time to plant perennials Because of the abundance of perennials that bloom this month, June has been designated as Perennial Gardening Month by the Perennial Plant Association. Perennial gardens often bring to mind the classic cottage garden or vibrant perennial border, and rightfully so.  Cottage gardens and perennial borders burst with a […]

What is a native plant? Seems like a simple question, right? It turns out that some things are not so easy to define. Horticulturists, botanists, growers and gardeners don’t always define the word “native” in the same way. Here’s how they differ. The Strict Definition of Native Some people believe that only plants found growing […]